Universal beam clamp

ABSTRACT

Universal beam clamp includes two clamping jaws, one movable relative to the other for securing the clamp to both vertical and horizontal support structures. The relatively stationary jaw has an oversize slot to permit engagement with flanges of different thicknesses, and one or more leveling screws may be provided for adjusting the angular orientation of the clamp with respect to the support structure. The movable jaw desirably consists of an annular disc or plate which provides a clamping surface around its entire periphery and is carried by a threaded shaft extending through an aperture in the base of the stationary jaw adjacent the slot therein for movement toward and away from the stationary jaw upon tightening and loosening of a nut threaded onto the other end of the shaft. The load may be directly supported by the clamp or suspended therefrom, and a handrail mount may be provided on each side of the clamp to permit support of a handrail in any position of the clamp.

nited States Patent 51 3,660,87 l oyle, Jr. May 9, 1972 [54] UNIVERSALBEAM CLAMP 3,469,810 9/1969 Dorris ..248/245 x [72] Inventor: {WhamJoseph Boyle, Jr., New Orleans, Primary Ewnmer DOnald A. Griffin a.

' Attorney-Oberlin, Maky, Donnelly & Renner [73] Assignee: Delta MarineContr. Division of Unitec Industries, Inc., Baltimore (Cockeysville),[57] ABSTRACT Universal beam clamp includes two clamping jaws, one mova-[22] Filed: Aug. 26, 1970 ble relative to the other for securing theclamp to both vertical [2]] App]. No.: 67,048

and horizontal support structures. The relatively stationary jaw has anoversize slot to permit engagement with flanges of differentthicknesses, and one or more leveling screws may be U.S. Cl. R, FS,provided for adjusting the angular orientation of the lam [51] Int. Cl...A44b 21/00 i h respect to the Support Structura The movabk: jaw [58]new of Search 24/8! PB, 73 243 243 desirably consists of an annular discor plate which provides a 24/243 263 263 73; 248/221 clamping surfacearound its entire periphery and is carried by 226 226 243 a threadedshaft extending through an aperture in the base of the stationary jawadjacent the slot therein for movement [56] References Cned toward andaway from the stationary jaw upon tightening and UNITED STATES PATENTSloosening of a nut threaded onto the other end of the shaft. The loadmay be directly supported by the clamp or 2,348,954 5/1944 Brown et al..248/221 suspended therefrom'and a handrail mount may be provided621,172 3/1399 Silkemann-u' 248/245 on each side of the clamp to permitsupport of a handrail in 3,445,08l 5/ l 969 Roussos ...248/228 X anyposition f e Clamp 2,555,782 6/195! Brownstein.. ...248/221 2,573,08610/1951 Yoshimoto ..248/235 l0 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures I X s 23 23 I85 J I 3 l5 26 i "I I9 7 24 I 1| n 34 33 l Jr 4 PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 SHEET1 BF 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS P'ATENTEDHM 9 I972 SHEE? 3 13? 3 INVENTOR.

WILL/AM JOSEPH BOYLE, .m.

flaw; 6 WM ATTORNEYS UNIVERSAL BEAM CLAMP The present invention relatesgenerally as indicated to a universal beam clamp, and more particularly,to certain improvements in beam clamps for ready attachment to supportstructures of various sizes and shapes, including I-beams, angles,channels, and tees which may extend vertically, horizontally, or even beinclined.

Previous known beam clamps were usually too restrictive in their use,being limited to use with specific sizes and shapes of structuralsupport members, and generally they could only be used with horizontalor vertical support members but not both. Most clamps were also morecomplex and costly than desired, and because of their relatively largesize and weight, they were not suitable for certain applications wherespace and weight limitations were an important factor. Still otherclamps required special tools for assembly and disassembly, and couldnot be quickly and easily installed and removed.

More recently, some clamps have been devised which overcome many of thedrawbacks of previous known clamps mentioned above, but there is still adefinite need for an improved clamp of relatively simple design which ishighly reliable and may be quickly and easily mounted on a variety ofstructural shapes and sizes having different angular orientations, whichis a principal object of this invention.

Another object is to provide such a clamp which may readily be installedin relatively confined areas without the use of special tools and thelike.

Still another object is to provide such a clamp which only requires thetightening of the movable jaw to securethe clamp to a support structure,and without having to orient the movable jaw with respect to the supportstructure prior to tightening.

These and other objects of the present invention may be achievedbyproviding the clamp with two clamping jaws, one

which is movable relative to the other for clamping of the supportstructure therebetween. The relatively stationary jaw is slotted forengagement with a flange on the support structure, and the movable jawconsists of an annular disc or plate which is carried by a threadedshaft extending through an aperture in the base of the stationary jawfor movement toward and away from the stationary jaw upon tightening ofa nut threaded onto the opposite end of the shaft.

The annular clamping plate provides a clamping surface around its entireperiphery, thus eliminating the need for having to orient the clampingplate with respect to the support structure prior to tightening, and theslot in the stationary jaw may be made oversize to permit use on flangesof different sizes and thicknesses. Leveling screws may be used toorient the clamp with respect to the support structure, which may extendvertically, horizontally or be inclined. A load may be directlysupported by the clamp or suspended therefrom in the hook mounting platebroken away to show the slots therein for receipt of the end of the hookregardless of the position of the clamp;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation view of the lower end of the railingof FIG. 2 as seen from the plane of the line 5-5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation view of, one of the clamps of FIG.1, but showing the clamp mounted on a horizontal support structure;

' FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevation view of a modified form of clampwhich is similar to the clamps previously illustrated except that theclamp is shown attached to an overhead support member and has a downwardextension for supporting a horizontal support member beneath the clamp;and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation view of still another form of clampin accordance with this invention which only differs from the clampspreviously illustrated in the provision of a lifting pad for attachmentof a lifi mechanism to the clamp.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, in FIG. I there is illustratedby way of example several universal beam clamps l constructed inaccordance with this invention mounted on suitable support members suchas the vertical support beams 2 shown for use in supporting scaffolding3 and the like. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each beam clamp 1consists of a stationary jaw 4 which may be in the form of a rectangularblock suitable manner, and suitable means may also be provided on theclamp for attachment of a post, hook, or other device to the clampregardless of the particular orientation of the clamp and supportstructure therefor.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the'claims, the following description andthe annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but afew of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may beemployed.

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a plurality of universal beam clampsconstructed in accordance with the present invention shown being used tosupport scaffolding and the like from vertical support beams;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded side elevation view of one of the clampsof FIG. 1 showing the railing and hook disassembled from the clamp; 1'

FIG. 3 is a partial section through the clamp of FIG. 2 taken on theplane of the line 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of the clamp as seen from the plane ofthe line 4-4 at the left end of FIG. 2, with portions of of steel havinga transverse slot 5 extending across one face 6 for engagement with theflange 7 of the support beam 2 and a movable jaw 8 desirably in the formof an annular disc or plate supported for movement toward and away fromthe stationary jaw 4 by a shaft 9 extending through a hole 10 in thestationary jaw adjacent the slot.

The shaft 9 is threaded over a substantial portion of its length fromthe projecting end 11 for threaded engagement by a nut 12 which whentightened draws the movable jaw 8 toward the stationary jaw for clampingonto a support structure disposed therebetween. Handle extensions 13 maybe provided on the nut to facilitate tightening thereof, and a lockwasher 14 may be disposed on the shaft 9 between the nut 12 andstationary jaw 4 to prevent loosening of the nut due to vibrations andthe like.

-To permit utilization of the clamp l on flanges 7 of differentthicknesses, the slot 5 is made oversize, and two leveling screws 15 aredesirably threadedly received in tapped openings 16 extending into theslot through one side 18 for tightening of the leveling screws intoengagement with the flange to obtain the desired leveling'of the clamp.As an example, the slot 5 may be approximately 2 inches deep and 7a inchwide for use on flanges ranging from approximately $41 to inch inthickness. The length of the shaft 9 on which the movable clamping disc8 is mounted may also be varied to suit conditions but it is desirablyapproximately 10 inches long, and the dimension of the stationary jaw 4through which the shaft 9 extends is desirably approximately 3 inches topermit attachment of the clamp to flanges ranging from 2 to 8 incheswide, whether they be I-beams, angles or channels toeing either way, ortees.

Effective holding of the clamp 1 to a suitable support structure isassured by locating the axis of the shaft 9 relatively close to the side19 of the slot 5 opposite the leveling screws 15 and centered withrespect to the width of the stationary jaw member 4, and making theannular clamping disc 8 of sufficient diameter to radially overlap theslot 5. As an example, the axis of the shaft 9 may be locatedapproximately 1 inch from the adjacent side 19 of the slot 5, and theannular disc 8 may be approximately 4 to 5 inches in diameter to obtainthe desired radial overlap with the slot. Moreover, because the movablejaw 8 is in the form of an annular disc as aforesaid, the need forhavingto orient the movable jaw with respect to the support structure tobe clamped thereby is eliminated, since the annular disc affords holdingaround its entire periphery.

If the clamp l is to be used to support a scaffolding 3 or similar typeload, a suitable support member may be directly secured to the end ofthe stationary jaw 4 opposite the leveling screws. In FIGS. 1 through 3and 6, the support member 20 shown is in the form of an elongated tubeof square cross section approximately 3 inches on a side having one endwelded to the end of the stationary jaw member 4, whereby whether theclamp I is secured to a vertically extending support structure 2 withthe vertical flange 7 extending right or left as viewed in FIG. 1, or issecured to a horizontally extending support structure 21 with thehorizontal flange 22 extending either up or down as viewed in FIG. 6,one of the sides 23 of the support member 20 will be disposedhorizontally for supporting the scaffolding 3.

Adjacent the other end of the tubular support member 20 each of thesides 23 may have a relatively short pipe or shaft 24 extendingoutwardly therefrom for insertion of the lower hollow end of a railingpost 25 thereover. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, each support shaft24 has a radial pin 26 projecting therefrom for receipt in a slot 27 inthe lower end of each railing 25. The slot 27 generally extendsvertically but is horizontally stepped intermediate its length to permitlocking of the railings to the support shafts by pushing down on therailings and rotating them within the horizontal stepped portion toforce the pins 26 into the uppermost portions of the slots 27.

Metal rings or loops 28 may be welded to the railings 25 for passage ofarailing rope or cable 29 therethrough as shown in FIG. 1. In addition,the outermost end 30 of the support member 20 may have a hook mountingplate 31 secured thereto with slots 32 on all four sides for receipt ofthe reversely bent end 33 of a hook 34 regardless of the orientation ofthe clamp. The hooks 34 may be used to support power hoses, cables, andother material adjacent the walkway as shown in FIG. I.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a modified form of universal beam clamp l inaccordance with this invention which is substantially identical to thebeam clamp I previously described except that the clamp is secured to anoverhead I-beam or tee 35, and the tubular support 36 for thescaffolding is suspended beneath the clamp by a vertical extension 37welded or other wise secured to the end of the stationary jaw 4'opposite the leveling screws 15'. The tubular support 36 may extendhorizontally beyond one or both sides of the extension 37, and theoutermost ends of the tubular support 36 may be provided with the usualsupport shafts 24' for the railings 25' and slotted mounting plates 31'for the hooks 34' as previously described.

The universal beam clamp l illustrated in FIG. 8 is also of aconstruction substantially identical to the beam clamp 1 previouslydescribed, but in place of the tubular support 20, a lifting pad 38 iswelded or otherwise secured to the end of the stationary jaw 4" oppositethe leveling screws 15". An aperture 39 may be provided in the liftingpad 38 to facilitate attachment ofa pulley 40 or other device for use ofthe clamp as a lifting lug. Otherwise, the details of construction andoperation of the clamps 1' and 1" of FIGS. 7 and 8 are substantially thesame as the beam clamp 1 previously described, and the same referencenumerals followed by prime symbols are used to designate like parts.

From the foregoing, it will now be apparent that the universal beamclamp of the present invention is of a simple yet versatile design whichallows it to be used to support scaffolding and other loads from bothhorizontal and vertical support structures of different shapes andsizes, and the clamp may also be secured to inclined structures as well.The annular clamping disc which is the movable jaw also greatlyfacilitates ease of assembly of the clamp, since it affords a holdingsurface around its s entire periphery and does not have to-be orientedwith respect to the support structure to be clamped thereby. Nor are anyspecial tools required to assemble or disassemble the clamp; however, awrench may be needed for tightening and loosening the leveling screws:

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention:

1. A clamp for attachment to a flange of a support structure comprisinga stationary jaw having a slot therein for receipt of such flange, suchstationary jaw on one end carrying a support member for scaffolding andthe like, a movable jaw, means mounting said movable jaw for movementtoward and away from said stationary jaw for clamping such structuralmember between said jaws and releasing the same, said movable jawcomprising an annular plate which radially overlaps said slot in saidstationary jaw, said annular plate providing a clamping surface aroundits entire periphery to eliminate the need for having to orient themovable jaw with respect to the support structure prior to clamping,means for mounting a railing post adjacent one end of said supportmember, and a hook mounting plate on said one end of said support memberhaving four sides which define slots for receipt of the end of adownwardly depending hook regardless of which side of said supportmember is facing up, thereby permitting attachment of said clamp to bothvertical and horizontal support structures.

2. A clamp for attachment to a flange of a' support structure comprisinga stationary jaw having a slot therein for receipt of such flange, saidstationary jaw having a vertical extension for suspending a supportmember for scaffolding and the like beneath said clamp when the same issecured to an overhead support structure, said support member extendingbeyond both ends of said extension and having means adjacent both endsfor attachment of railing posts to said support member, a movable jawadjacent said stationarily jaw, and means mount ing said movable jaw formovement toward and away from said stationary jaw for clamping suchstructural member between said jaws and releasing the same, said movablejaw comprising an annular plate which radially overlaps said slot insaid stationary jaw, said annular plate providing a clamping surfacearound its entire periphery, thereby eliminating the need for having toorient the movable jaw with respect to the support structure prior toclamping.

3. A clamp for attachment to a support structure comprising a solid onepiece stationary jaw having a slot in one surface thereof to receive afirst portion of said support structure, a support member forscaffolding and the like of rectangular tubular cross-section connectedto one end of said stationary jaw, and a movable jaw having an annularplate adapted to move toward and away from said slot to engage orrelease, respectively, a second portion of said support structure, whichsecond portion is contiguous with or extends beyond said one surface,said annular plate without obstruction being adapted radially to overlapsaid slot in abutment with said one surface, whereby said supportstructure may always be clamped by said two jaws.

4. The clamp of claim 3 further including means mounting said movablejaw for such movement, said means comprising a shaft extending through aholein said stationary jaw adjacent one side of said slot, said annularplate being carried by one end of said shaft, and a nut threadedlyengaging the other end of said shaft which when tightened draws saidannular plate toward said stationary jaw.

5. The clamp of claim 3 wherein said slot is made oversize for receiptof flanges of different thicknesses, and leveling screws are threadedlyreceived in tapped openings extending into said slot through one sidethereof for engagement with the flange upon tightening of said screws.

6. The clamp of claim 5 wherein said slot is of sufficient width toreceive flanges ranging from approximately onequarter to three-quarterinch in thickness.

7. The clamp of claim 3 further comprising a lifting pad secured to oneend of said stationary jaw.

8. The clamp of claim 3 further comprising a support member carried byone end of said stationary jaw for support ing scaffolding and the like,and means for mounting a railing post adjacent one end of said supportmember.

9. The clamp of claim 8 wherein said support member is of rectangularsection having flat sides, and means are provided on each side of saidsupport member adjacent said one end for attachment of an upwardlyextending railing post to said supsupport member, each shaft having aradial pin projecting therefrom, the lower end of said railing postbeing of tubular section and having a generally vertical slot with ahorizontal step intermediate its length for securing said railing postto said shaft by inserting said railingpost over said shaft with saidslot in alignment with said pin and engaging said pin in the uppermostportion of said vertical slot.

1. A clamp for attachment to a flange of a support structure comprisinga stationary jaw having a slot therein for receipt of such flange, suchstationary jaw on one end carrying a support member for scaffolding andthe like, a movable jaw, means mounting said movable jaw for movementtoward and away from said stationary jaw for clamping such structuralmember between said jaws and releasing the same, said movable jawcomprising an annular plate which radially overlaps said slot in saidstationary jaw, said annular plate providing a clamping surface aroundits entire periphery to eliminate the need for having to orient themovable jaw with respect to the support structure prior to clamping,means for mounting a railing post adjacent one end of said supportmember, and a hook mounting plate on said one end of said support memberhaving four sides which define slots for receipt of the end of adownwardly depending hook regardless of which side of said supportmember is facing up, thereby permitting attachment of said clamp to bothvertical and horizontal support structures.
 2. A clamp for attachment toa flange of a support structure comprising a stationary jaw having aslot therein for receipt of such flange, said stationary jaw having avertical extension for suspending a support member for scaffolding andthe like beneath said clamp when the same is secured to an overheadsupport structure, said support member extending beyond both ends ofsaid extension and having means adjacent both ends for attachment ofrailing posts to said support member, a movable jaw adjacent saidstationarily jaw, and means mounting said movable jaw for movementtoward and away from said stationary jaw for clamping suCh structuralmember between said jaws and releasing the same, said movable jawcomprising an annular plate which radially overlaps said slot in saidstationary jaw, said annular plate providing a clamping surface aroundits entire periphery, thereby eliminating the need for having to orientthe movable jaw with respect to the support structure prior to clamping.3. A clamp for attachment to a support structure comprising a solid onepiece stationary jaw having a slot in one surface thereof to receive afirst portion of said support structure, a support member forscaffolding and the like of rectangular tubular cross-section connectedto one end of said stationary jaw, and a movable jaw having an annularplate adapted to move toward and away from said slot to engage orrelease, respectively, a second portion of said support structure, whichsecond portion is contiguous with or extends beyond said one surface,said annular plate without obstruction being adapted radially to overlapsaid slot in abutment with said one surface, whereby said supportstructure may always be clamped by said two jaws.
 4. The clamp of claim3 further including means mounting said movable jaw for such movement,said means comprising a shaft extending through a hole in saidstationary jaw adjacent one side of said slot, said annular plate beingcarried by one end of said shaft, and a nut threadedly engaging theother end of said shaft which when tightened draws said annular platetoward said stationary jaw.
 5. The clamp of claim 3 wherein said slot ismade oversize for receipt of flanges of different thicknesses, andleveling screws are threadedly received in tapped openings extendinginto said slot through one side thereof for engagement with the flangeupon tightening of said screws.
 6. The clamp of claim 5 wherein saidslot is of sufficient width to receive flanges ranging fromapproximately one-quarter to three-quarter inch in thickness.
 7. Theclamp of claim 3 further comprising a lifting pad secured to one end ofsaid stationary jaw.
 8. The clamp of claim 3 further comprising asupport member carried by one end of said stationary jaw for supportingscaffolding and the like, and means for mounting a railing post adjacentone end of said support member.
 9. The clamp of claim 8 wherein saidsupport member is of rectangular section having flat sides, and meansare provided on each side of said support member adjacent said one endfor attachment of an upwardly extending railing post to said supportmember regardless of which side is facing up, thereby permitting saidclamp to be secured to both vertical and horizontal support structures.10. The clamp of claim 9 wherein said means for attachment of a railingpost to each side of said support member comprises shafts extendingoutwardly from each side of said support member, each shaft having aradial pin projecting therefrom, the lower end of said railing postbeing of tubular section and having a generally vertical slot with ahorizontal step intermediate its length for securing said railing postto said shaft by inserting said railing post over said shaft with saidslot in alignment with said pin and engaging said pin in the uppermostportion of said vertical slot.